Improvement in abdominal supporters



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MARY M. MERRiLL. Abdominal Supporters.

Patented July 8,1873.

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IMPROVEMENT IN ABDOMINAL SUPPORTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 140,585, dated July 8, 1873; application filed February 5, 1872.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, MARY M. MERRILL, of the city of Boston,county of Suffolk and Oommonwealth of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Abdominal and Spinal Supporters, of which the following is a specification:

My invention consists in combining and arranging several devices (not in themselves new) so as to form a supporter that, as a whole, shall be better than any heretofore in use; and to this end I have combined coiled-wire springs inserted in the shape of the iigure 8 within the curved-ed ge pieces of which the supporter is formed. A detachable lining, made in sections, is added for two purposes, viz., to protect the parts more perfectly from the wire springs, and to permit of frequent cleaning of the parts of the supporter nearest the person.

Figure l is a perspective view of my invention, showingfront and side of abdominal part, and a portion of the spinal part, as applied to the person. Fig. 2 is an elevation, showing the back or spinal supporter. Fig. 3 shows a piece of spiral spring the size used. Fig. 4 is an elevation, showing the sectional linings as` adjusted. Fig. 5 is au elevation, showing inside of abdominal portion with linings removed.

A is the body of the abdominal portion of the supporter, which is constructed ot' any strong material, canvas being the best, in the following manner: The center piece is cut the length of the supporter, with curved edges, as shown,by seams act. The two pieces joined to that, on either side, are also cut with curved edges, the .outer seams being covered by the spiral springs E E, while the sides are made of three pieces, each with curved transverse seams d d d d', so that, with care, the supporter is made to lit the abdomen and sides, over the hips, exactly, giving equal pressure upon all parts, the two lower seams, d d', being cut and iitted to form the coneavity in such a manner as to draw at the lower point of the supporter with the same force as over the middle of the abdomen. At the lower point are inserted two elastic gores, D D, for the purpose of giving additional elastic powers to that portion of supporter. I insert three sections ofvspiral springs running the length of the supporter, as represented by E E and F, the springs being shown by cutting away the cloth at e e e e. These springs give an elasticity to the supporter which nothing else will, allowing it to yield to the form of the person with periectfreedom of movement. Every seam in the abdominal partis curved, or rather the cloth is cut in curves, so that when joined the concavity is formed to it the rotundity of the abdomen, be the same more or less, each supporter being fitted to each particular person, which any dress-maker can do. L is an elastic band fastened to the inside of the lower point of abdominal supporter, the ends of which are buttoned higher or lower, as desired, as shown by buttons i i i Min Fig. 5, and for the purpose of giving more or less upward pressure to that partof the supporter, that the support may be as great as desired at the base ofthe abdomen, thus obviating the necessity of any truss. B is the body of the back or spinal supporter, in which are three sections of spiral springs, as represented in Fig. 2, one spring running straight up and down the center, marked C, and two linkshaped, marked-Gr G. The object of the linkshaped is to give a special elasticity to that part of the supporter. H H H H, Src., are elastic straps that hold the abdominal and spinal supporters in place when on the person, though any other means may be used; these, however, proving, upon experiment, to be best. When the supporter is adjusted to the person, and the side bands or straps are buckled equally tight, the pressure of the supporter is the same upon every part of the person, while the spiral springs and elastic bands yield to every motion ofthe body, so as to give no inconvenience at all; and7 owing to such yielding, will not slip up or down, but remain in its desired position. I is the adjustable lining to the back or spinal supporter, made in one piece, as represented in Fig. 4. J J are the adjustable linings to the sides of the abdominal supporter, made with two transverse seams, b b b b', as represented lby dotted lines thus marked, so that they shall lit the sides of the supporter and the person. K is the center piece of linings cut with curved edges. M M are other pieces of the lining with curved transverse seams ff. These pieces overlap the sides J` J and the center piece K, so that when all the linings are adjusted by being stitched to the supporter at the top and bottom, they make a full and nearly double lining.

The great advantage of my adjustable linings is, that they, being the only part of the supporter actually coming in contact with the person of the wearer, and for that reason the only part requiring Washing, can be removed for that purpose and another adjusted, and the wearer will not be deprived of the use of the supporter. Another advantage is, that they will prevent the supporter from chafing the person of the wearer; and a third advantage is, that the Washing of the linings will not affect the condition of the supporter by shrinking, as fixed linings Would be likely to do, nor Will the supporter itself be subjected to the liability of shrinking or chan gin gits form, a? it would be if it were necessary to wash it o ten.

I am aware that al1 my devices are of themselves old, but I am not aware ot' any supporter which combines them all.

I therefore claim as my invention- A combined abdominal and spinal supporter consisting of the bodies A and B, made with curved longitudinal and tran sverse seams, and furnished both with coiled-wire springs inserted in the forms shown, and with adjustable linings, the parts being secured together by elastic straps, all as and for thepurposes shown.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

MARY M. MERRILL.

Witnesses z J oHN R. BAKER, H. C. DANE. 

